Reviewed by Phil Thomson

The assault on the ears is total. Wave after majestic wave of sound powers its way through your senses as these choirs strut their stuff. You just know beyond doubt that they believe in praise, that they are wired for adoration, such is the conviction with which each song is rendered. As with any compilation, someone's favourite song is bound to be missing, but this double album is a fair reflection of what it takes. There's Shekinah Glory telling us that "Praise Is What I Do", Hezekiah Walker & The Love Fellowship Crusade Choir singing up to be "Clean Inside", the Reverend Milton Brunson & the Thompson Community Choir blasting out that "God's Got It". Soloists such as Tye Tribbett, Joe Pace, John P Kee and the Rev Lawrence Thomson step up to the microphone to confess with perfect timing, drawing out their vowels as we are swept up in mass-choir affirmation. Walls of sound like no other, rhythms you just have to sway to - and with their preach/teach exhortations and rich soul voices, they truly raise the roof. It is an experience most effectively lived out at full volume. To round off this whole exhilarating, exhausting triumph, producer Ken Harding takes us back to The Edwin Hawkins Singers "Oh Happy Day" - surely the most enduring reminder of just how uplifting the gospel choir can be. Top 20? A reasonable claim.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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